Skin-enhancing glove and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A protective glove includes a coating of dehydrated material on its inside surface. The dehydrated material, in contact with perspiration from a hand wearing the glove, soothes the hand. Some methods of placing the coating onto the inside surface of the glove include spraying or dipping with a solution that includes Aloe Vera.

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This is a continuation of commonly owned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/938,715, filed Aug. 23, 2001, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/898,632, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,423,328, filed Jul. 3, 2001, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/288,067, now U.S. Pat. No.6,274,154, filed Apr. 7, 1999. These prior patent application(s) arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Disposable gloves, for example, disposable examination gloves,are widely used as a protective measure to insulate hands from theobjects handled by the wearer of gloves. To allow ease in handlingobjects, disposable gloves are made of thin and elastic material tominimize the space between the skin and the glove. Due to poor aircirculation resulting from tight insulation, hand sweating is a commonproblem among glove wearers. Prolonged wearing of disposable glovescauses a moist environment on the surface of the hand that allowsviruses, bacteria, yeast and fungus to grow and multiply. Itchiness is afrequent result of wearing disposable examination gloves for extendedperiods.

[0003] Powders are commonly used on the inner surface of gloves toalleviate sweating and to make donning, wearing and removal of gloveseasier. However, continuous sweating can easily overwhelm the thin layerof powder that is commonly attached to the surface of the glove. This isespecially the case when continuous and frequent wearing of gloves isrequired. For example, dentists may continuously wear gloves during adental surgical procedure for up to 40 minutes. In addition, handwashing is necessary after the use of powdered gloves. Frequent handwashing to remove powders may also cause excess dryness of the skin.

[0004] The need for disposable gloves that can prevent adverse sideeffects caused by extensive use is apparent. Various patents disclosedifferent types of gloves that contain lotions. During glove use thelotions come into contact human skin and condition the skins. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,202 discloses a moisturizing glove thatcontains a middle layer saturated with lotion. The porous inner layerallows the lotion to pass through and contact the skin. U.S. Pat. Nos.4,186,445 and 4,185,330 disclose gloves that have inner lining made of alotion absorbent material. By impregnating the lotion onto the absorbentmaterial, the lotion can condition the hands during application of thegloves.

[0005] A common feature of the above disclosures is the use of multiplelayers in the glove design. Compared to single layer disposable gloves,the complex design of multiple layer gloves makes production far morecostly. Most importantly, the thickness of the layers and thecomplicated structures of the gloves hinder hand flexibility when theglove wearer tries to pick up and manipulate objects. Such multiplelayer designs are suitable for moisturizing hands, but are not suitablefor manipulating objects, especially for professions that requirehandling of fine tasks with precision.

[0006] Disposable gloves are generally made of three types of materials:natural rubber latex, acrylonitrile, and polyvinyl chloride. Naturalrubber latex is sensitive to oil-based substances. Prolonged contactbetween latex and oil-based substance can adversely affect durabilityand flexibility of the latex material. Most commercially availablelotions contain oil-based substances. The use of lotions in prior artswill substantially shorten the shelf life of a natural rubber glove.

[0007] There is therefore a need for low cost disposable gloves that canapply moisturizing and therapeutic substances to the hands during theglove use without leaving a greasy feel or look to the skin, while atthe same time, retain the characteristics and functions of conventionalsingle layer gloves.

SUMMARY

[0008] Some embodiments of the present invention satisfy these needs.Some embodiments of the present invention include a novel disposableglove with Aloe Vera uniformly applied to the inner surface of the glovethrough a dehydration process, and a method for making such a glove.

[0009] One object of some embodiments of the present invention is tocondition and soothe the hands during glove use.

[0010] Another object of some embodiments of the present invention is toproduce a glove that is equivalent to a single layer glove in the user'sability to pick up and manipulate objects.

[0011] Still another object of some embodiments of the present inventionis to prevent growth of bacteria, viruses, yeast and fungi on the hands,which become more active in a wet environment resulting from sweatingduring prolonged or frequent wearing of gloves.

[0012] A related object is to cause the anti-microbial substance todissociate and release from the glove surface in response to the degreeof wetness of hand.

[0013] A further object is to preserve the shelf life of glove by usingnatural non-oil based substance and to preserve the activity of thetherapeutic substance by keeping the substance in a dehydrated state.

[0014] The above objects are accomplished, for example, by applying AloeVera evenly to the inner surface of a disposable examination glovethrough dehydration.

[0015] The objects are further accomplished, for example, by a method ofmanufacturing the Aloe Vera glove. The disposable gloves are firsttreated with chlorine solution to wash off any powders, extract solublesubstances in the composite material, and kill microorganisms. Afterdrying, the gloves are turned inside out and dipped into a prepared AloeVera solution to saturate the outer surface. The gloves are then driedin a tumbling heater within a controlled narrow range of temperaturebetween 45° C. and 65° C., and for a specific length of time. Thiscauses water to evaporate and the Aloe Vera to evenly coat the glovesurface. After cooling to room temperature, the gloves are inverted sothat the side with Aloe Vera coating is facing inside.

[0016] One embodiment of the present invention is a method ofmanufacturing protective gloves. The method comprises forming a glove ona mold; applying a solution that includes Aloe Vera onto the glove whilethe glove is on the mold; at least partially drying the solution thathas been applied onto the glove while the glove is on the mold; andremoving the glove from the mold.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method ofmanufacturing protective gloves. The method includes applying a solutionthat includes Aloe Vera onto a plurality of gloves; at least afterbeginning of the applying step, tumbling the plurality of gloves toexpose more surface areas of the gloves to application of the solution;and dehydrating solution that has been applied to the plurality ofgloves; wherein the plurality of gloves become coated with a driedcoating that includes Aloe Vera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is the front perspective view of an Aloe Vera gloveconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method formanufacturing Aloe Vera gloves, preferably using spraying, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that illustrates a conventional methodfor manufacturing conventional examination gloves.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method, according toan embodiment of the present invention, for manufacturing Aloe Veragloves that is integrated with, and includes, the manufacturing of theunderlying Aloe Vera-free gloves themselves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment ofthe present invention and several variations of, and/or alternatives to,that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, aslimiting the present invention to those particular embodiments.Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous otherembodiments as well.

[0024] An embodiment of the present invention is a disposable glove asillustrated in FIG. 1, which has Aloe Vera 10 evenly coated on the innersurface in a dehydrated state, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The gloveretains the features of a disposable examination glove, which is simpleand convenient to use and allows the wearer to handle fine tasks withprecision. Another embodiment of the present invention is amanufacturing method for modifying a disposable glove by coating AloeVera on the inner surface of the glove. The glove is coated with AloeVera 10 through dehydration that is accomplished by a well-controlledheating process.

[0025] A disposable glove is made of various materials to form a layer12. Resinous materials such as vinyl or polymer materials such asacrylonitrile are common choices. Three commonly used materials formaking disposable gloves are natural rubber latex, acrylonitrile andpolyvinyl chloride.

[0026] In one preferred embodiment, the glove is made of natural rubberlatex. Since natural rubber latex is sensitive to oil-based substances,gloves made of natural rubber latex should not be exposed to oil-basedsubstances. In this embodiment, Aloe Vera is used to coat the gloves andit does not contain any detectable oil-based substances. Coating gloveswith Aloe Vera does not affect the glove's shelf life. In anotherpreferred embodiment the glove is made of acrylonitrile polymer.

[0027] Aloe Vera is a natural plant extract that has a long history offolk medicine usage. Aloe Vera has been used for external treatment ofwounds, burns and skin irritations, and internal treatment of variousconditions. Aloe Vera is a popular ingredient in skin-care products. Itis also a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent. Aloe Verais soluble in water and contains non-detectable oil content.

[0028] Aloe Vera glove retains the characteristic of a disposable glovewithout any visible modification, and is easy and convenient to use. Theaffiliation between Aloe Vera and the glove surface is through a forceprovided by dehydration. Such affiliation is loosened when sweatdissolves Aloe Vera. The longer a glove is worn, the more likely thehand will sweat, and consequently more Aloe Vera will be dissolved anddisassociated from the glove surface, and be applied to hand. The activeingredients in Aloe Vera can then condition hand skin and preventmicroorganisms from growing under the wet condition.

[0029] In one preferred embodiment, 100% Aloe Vera gel is used to coatthe gloves. Aloe Vera is evenly and uniformly distributed on the innersurface of the glove at a thickness of about 0.01 millimeter. Theassociation between Aloe Vera and the surface is achieved by anon-covalent force provided through dehydration.

[0030] The method of manufacturing gloves involves treating acommercially available disposable glove to eliminate residue powders,soluble substances, and microorganisms, turning the glove inside out,dipping it into an Aloe Vera solution and heating the glove to causewater to evaporate.

[0031] A glove is preferably first treated with a chlorine solution orchlorine gas. Chlorine solution can help to sterilize the gloves, towash off powders, and most importantly for natural latex gloves, todissolve residual proteins that could potentially trigger severeallergic reactions among repeat users. After the outside surface of theglove is treated with the chlorine solution, it is turned inside out,and the glove is again treated with the chlorine solution. The residuechlorine is neutralized by using ammonia and the gloves are then dried.

[0032] An Aloe Vera solution will then be prepared. One hundred percentconcentrated Aloe Vera gel is dissolved in distilled water to generatean Aloe Vera solution. The preferred concentration of the solution isabout 20%. To associate Aloe Vera with the surface of the glove, AloeVera solution can be sprayed onto the surface of the glove.Alternatively, the glove can be immersed into the Aloe Vera solution.The latter method is preferred because it creates a complete and evendistribution of the Aloe Vera solution.

[0033] In one preferred embodiment, the dipping process is accomplishedby grouping a number of gloves in a batch to achieve highermanufacturing efficiency. The gloves are immersed in the solution for atleast 10 minutes to allow adequate absorbency.

[0034] Aloe Vera is attached to the surface of the glove through acontrolled dehydration process. The water in the Aloe Vera solution iscaused to evaporate through heating. Although a higher temperature willcause water to evaporate quicker, excess heat may damage the gloves. Forexample, gloves exposed to excessive heat of over 70° C. may turnbrownish and become brittle. To shorten the heat exposure time, aheating oven is preheated to about 45° C. before the gloves areintroduced. The oven has a temperature control mechanism to maintain amaximum temperature. In a preferred embodiment the maximum temperatureis set at approximately 65° C. and the heating process lasts from about35 to 40 minutes. The dehydration process provides an affiliation forceso that Aloe Vera can remain associated with the glove surface for anextensive period of time.

[0035] Even distribution of Aloe Vera on the glove surface maximizestherapeutic treatment of the hand and minimizes contact between the skinand the glove's composite material. Stationary drying is not preferredbecause the Aloe Vera solution tends to flow in the direction of theforce of gravity. In a preferred embodiment the heating oven has adevice to tumble during the heating to make Aloe Vera distribute evenlyon the glove surface and to form a uniform coating.

[0036] Afterward the gloves are cooled to room temperature. The glovesare then inverted so that the surface with the Aloe Vera faces inside.

[0037]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method 300 formanufacturing Aloe Vera gloves, preferably using spraying, according toan embodiment of the present invention. The application of Aloe Vera togloves preferably begins with gloves that are clean and free of proteinresidue, powder, or other surface contaminants. Therefore, the method300 preferably begins with a step 310 of cleaning the gloves to removesuch contaminants. Next, Aloe Vera solution is applied to the gloves(step 312), preferably by spraying a batch of clean loose gloves thatare arranged inside out. The gloves are tumbled (step 314) so that moregloves become better exposed to current or future applying of Aloe Verasolution. Preferably, the tumbling of the gloves in the step 314 occurs,or continues to occur, after the spraying of the Aloe Vera solution inthe step 312 has already stopped. The steps 312 and 314 are thenpreferably repeated for a desired number of iterations (as shown bydecision box 316 in FIG. 3). After the last iteration of the step 312 ofapplying the Aloe Vera solution, the gloves are dried (step 318, or thestep 318 and the last iteration of the step 314).

[0038] The optional (but preferred) step 310 of cleaning the gloves ofsurface contaminants can be performed using any competent technique(including any conventional technique). For example, as discussed above,a chlorine solution may be used, and the chlorine solution itself ispreferably neutralized and cleaned away at the end of the cleaning step.Cleaning items such as gloves of surface contaminants, for example,using chlorine solution, is a known technology, and the specifics ofsuch cleaning would be readily apparent, depending on the particulartype of cleaning equipment being used. For example, for a sufficientlylarge commercial chlorine washer, a batch of about 3000 to 4000 glovesmay be washed using any conventional cycle, for example, a cycle ofabout 20 to 30 minutes, say, about 23 minutes. Optionally, for extraassurance of cleanliness, the batch of gloves may be further rinsed withwater, preferably in a separate commercial washing tank, for examplefirst with hot water and then with cold (e.g., room-temperature) waterfor any desired amount of time, for example, about 20 to 30 minutes ormore. For the method 300, the water is preferably drained well from thegloves. For example, the gloves may be spun dry in the commercialwashing tank in conventional manner.

[0039] Preferably, the steps 312, 314, and 318 are all performed withina commercial heat tumble dryer, for example, as follows. After theoptional water bath at the end of the optional cleaning step 310, thegloves are removed from the water bath and dumped into the heat tumbledryer. The dryer then starts tumbling the gloves. Preferably, thetumbling is accompanied by heating of the gloves by hot air andcontinues until the gloves are dry or mostly dry. Then, a spray nozzleconfigured to spray Aloe Vera solution as a fine mist starts sprayingthe Aloe Vera solution onto the gloves in the dryer. During thespraying, the tumbling may either continue or may continue at a slowerpace or may be stopped, and heating of the air may be continued orreduced or stopped. Depending on the level of integration between thespray nozzle and the dryer, the door of the dryer may be opened to allowaccess to the spray nozzle during spraying. After a period of spraying,the spraying stops and the tumbling continues, or resumes, preferablyaccompanied by resumed, or continued, heating of the air. The sprayingand tumbling are repeated for several iterations. After the lastiteration of spraying, the gloves are dried, preferably by tumbling withheating until the gloves are dry. The number and durations of iterationsand the amount of solution to use should be chosen to be sufficient,given the particular dryer and spray nozzle configuration, to leave atleast a desired minimum thickness, and/or no more than a desired maximumthickness, of dehydrated Aloe Vera on substantially every glove.

[0040] For example, for a batch of about 3000 gloves, two kilograms of20% Aloe Vera solution may be sprayed in about 4 or 5 spray iterations,with the spray iterations spaced about 2 to 5 minutes apart, and witheach spray iteration's having a spray duration of about 30 to 90 secondsin a dryer that is the oven discussed above (i.e., one that is limitedto a maximum temperature of about 65° C. (preferred) or less than about80° C.). As shown in FIG. 3, each spray iteration is preferably followedby a tumbling iteration. The final iteration of tumbling is ofsufficient duration to dry the gloves and especially should includeheating. For example, the final iteration of tumbling may be chosen sothat the total duration of tumbling and heating gloves having Aloe Verasolution over all the steps is about 35 to 40 minutes.

[0041] Preferably, the method 300 is performed and completed using onlytwo or only three holding containers in which washing, spraying, ortumbling are actually performed. If two containers are used, they wouldbe the chlorine washer and the heat tumble dryer. If three containersare used, they would be the chlorine washer, the water washer, and theheat tumble dryer.

[0042]FIG. 3 can also serve as a flow diagram for the earlier-discussedembodiment of the present invention that is a method that uses immersion(e.g., dipping) to apply Aloe Vera solution. If FIG. 3 is interpreted todescribe the method that uses immersion, then preferably the decisionbox 316 reflects having only a single iteration of immersing (the step312), and the box for step 314 can be interpreted to refer to agitationof the immersion tank, for example, in the manner of a washing machine.After the immersion (e.g., the Steps 312 and 314), the step 318 refersto tumble drying, as has been discussed earlier. If FIG. 3 is used todescribe the immersion method, then preferably an extra holdingcontainer would be used, namely, an immersion tank that contains theAloe Vera solution. Thus, if the method 300 is embodied so as to useimmersion, then the method 300 is preferably performed and completedusing only three or only four holding containers in which washing,immersion, or tumbling are actually performed. If three containers areused, they would be the chlorine washer, the immersion tank for AloeVera solution, and the heat tumble dryer. If four containers are used,they would be the chlorine washer, the washer for water, the immersiontank for Aloe Vera solution, and the heat tumble dryer.

[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method formanufacturing Aloe Vera gloves is integrated with, and/or includes, themanufacturing of the underlying Aloe Vera-free gloves themselves. Thisother embodiment is especially preferred for produce large quantities ofAloe Vera gloves efficiently.

[0044]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that illustrates a conventional method400 for manufacturing conventional examination gloves. In a step 410,gloves are formed on molds by conventional processes. Each of thesemolds is shaped to be at least reminiscent of a hand such that theresulting gloves will fit hands. The forming and formed gloves undergoconventional processing on the molds in the step 410. Then, in a step412, they are removed from the molds.

[0045]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method 500, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The method 500 is a methodfor manufacturing Aloe Vera gloves that is integrated with, andincludes, the manufacturing of the underlying Aloe Vera-free glovesthemselves. Preferably, the method 500 is fully automated within aproduction line. In a step 510, gloves are formed on molds using anycompetent technique, for example, using conventional processes asdiscussed in connection with FIG. 4. The forming and formed glovesundergo processing on the molds in the step 510 using, for example,conventional processing. In a step 512, an Aloe Vera solution, forexample, the solution discussed earlier, is applied to the gloves whilethe gloves are still on the form. The application of the solution can bevia any competent technique, for example, spraying, immersing, pouring,overfilling, dipping, and the like, (which are not mutually exclusivetechniques). In a step 514, the Aloe Vera solution that coats the glovesundergoes at least partial, and preferably full or at least substantial,dehydration. Next, in a step 516, the gloves are removed from the molds.Preferably, after removal from the molds, the gloves are further driedand cured by heat, in a step 518.

[0046] In the step 510, the gloves formed on the mold are preferablyconsidered to be inside out such that that the interior of each glove,as later to be worn on the hand, faces outward. The gloves are formedand processed using whatever technique is competent to produce a gloveof the desired material. The preferred material is natural rubber latex.After a glove is formed, while on the mold, the later hand-facingsurface of the glove is preferably made safer, and/or easier to slideduring donning, for later contact with hands, either by cleaning off anyresidual proteins, chemicals, and the like, for example, using chlorine,or by coating the surface with a thin insulating layer that will attemptto insulate the hand from contact with the residual proteins, chemicals,and the like during wearing of the glove. By being cleaned, the glove islikely to be slicker and easier to slide over skin during donning,especially if the glove is made of natural rubber latex. Similarly, theinsulating layer is preferably made of a substance that is more slipperythan the underlying glove. For example, even if the glove is a vinylglove of a type that is not made significantly safer or more slippery bycleaning, it may still be coated with an insulating layer to increaseits slippery-ness and thereby be made easier to don. The insulatinglayer is, for example, a polymer layer, for example, of silicone orpolyurethane,

[0047] In the step 512, Aloe Vera solution, such as has already beendescribed, is applied to the gloves while the gloves are still on themolds, either by dipping or by spraying. If spraying is used, it shouldbe thorough enough so as to leave a desired amount of solution on thegloves' inside out surfaces, for example, an amount comparable to thatwhich would be obtained from dipping.

[0048] In the step 514, the gloves undergo at least partial, andpreferably full or at least substantial, dehydration. For example,fanned heated air may be blown across the gloves on the molds. Fornatural rubber latex gloves, especially, the air is preferably not morethan about 80° C., and even more preferably, the air is not more thanabout 65° C. Preferably, the Aloe Vera coating is sufficiently dried toprovide sufficient adhesion between the Aloe Vera coating and the gloveso that the coated glove can withstand the next step 516.

[0049] In the step 516, the gloves are stripped from the molds.

[0050] In the optional step 518, the loose gloves are further cured, andtheir Aloe Vera coatings are even further dehydrated by heat, forexample, in a dryer as has been discussed earlier.

[0051] The forming and processing of gloves on molds in the step 510, inone example, includes, on an automatic production line: cleaningporcelain formers (molds) using hot water (for example, about 40° C. to100° C.); drying the porcelain formers in hot air (for example, at about40° C. to 100° C.); dipping the formers in coagulant (for example, atabout 40° C. to 70° C.); drying the coagulant on the formers in hot air(for example, at about 35° C. to 140° C.); dipping the coagulant-coatedformers in latex (for example, at about 25° C. to 45° C.); curing thelatex on the formers in hot air (for example, at about 60° C. to 140°C.); leaching the gloves on the formers; beading the edge of the gloveson the formers; and then making the glove surfaces safer, and easier todon, for later contact with hands, either by cleaning or by coating thesurface, as discussed above. If cleaning is used in themaking-safer/making-easier-to-don step, then the forming and processingfurther includes: further curing (for example, at about 80° C. to 140°C.); rinsing with cold water (for example, at no more than roomtemperature); chlorination (for example, at no more than about 30° C.);preferably preceded by further rinsing with cold water (for example, atno more than room temperature); neutralization; further rinsing (forexample, with hot followed by cold water); and dehydration and furthercuring in hot air. Alternatively, if coating is used in themaking-safer/making-easier-to-don step, then the forming and processingfurther includes: drying in hot air (for example, at about 80° C. to150° C.); coating with polymer (for example, at no more than about 45°C.); and further drying and curing in hot air (for example, at about 80°C. to 150° C.).

[0052] In addition to the preferred natural rubber latex, the presentinvention may be embodied as Aloe Vera-coated gloves of acrylonitrile,polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, chloroprene, neoprene, butadiene, orthe like, and their manufacturer. Further, in addition to Aloe Vera, thepresent invention may be embodied to alternatively or additionally useany other skin-soothing or skin-moisturizing substance or mixture thatcan be dried onto the inside of a glove and that, in the dry form, ismixed with moisture that consists only of perspiration from a handduring wearing of the glove and moisturizes the hand.

[0053] While the invention is described in some detail with specificreference to a few preferred embodiments and some alternatives, there isno intent to limit the invention to the particular embodiments or thespecific alternatives. Thus, the true scope of the present invention isnot limited to any one of the foregoing exemplary embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing an enhanced disposableskin contacting article, the method comprising: applying a preparationonto a surface of a disposable article, the preparation including amoisture activated substance, the surface of the article to face awearer's skin during wearing of the article on the skin, wherein thepreparation contacts the skin during wearing of the article and some ofthe preparation is activated by moisture during wearing, even whenperspiration from the skin is the only moisture.
 2. The method of claim1 wherein the article is made from a natural rubber latex.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein the article is made of a single layer prior to theapplying step.
 4. An article for covering skin, the article comprising:a disposable examination glove; and a coating on a surface of thedisposable examination glove, the coating including a moisture activatedsubstance; wherein, the coating contacts a hand during donning of thearticle onto the hand, and the coating is activated with moisture fromonly perspiration when worn on the hand.
 5. The article of claim 4wherein the disposable examination glove is made from a natural rubberlatex.
 6. The article of claim 4 wherein the disposable examinationglove is a single-layer glove.
 7. The article of claim 4 wherein thecoating comprises a skin-conditioning substance.
 8. A glove manufacturedaccording to claim 1.